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LANDFILL SITING, DESIGN AND LANDFILL SITING, DESIGN AND OPERATIONSOPERATIONS

World Bank Landfill Learning Event, Urban WeekMay 8, 2006, Room H3-290

Bob Isenberg, PE, CPG

MAJOR LANDFILL TOPICSMAJOR LANDFILL TOPICS

Regulatory controlsRegulatory controlsSitingSitingPermitting and DesignPermitting and DesignConstructionConstructionOperations and MaintenanceOperations and MaintenanceEnvironmental MonitoringEnvironmental MonitoringClosure and Post ClosureClosure and Post Closure

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Governing RegulationsGoverning RegulationsU.S. EPA RCRA Subtitle D (40 CFR 257 and U.S. EPA RCRA Subtitle D (40 CFR 257 and 258)258)•• MarylandMaryland Dept of Environment; COMARDept of Environment; COMAR•• VirginiaVirginia Dept of Environ. Dept of Environ. Quality;VSWMRQuality;VSWMR•• S. CarolinaS. Carolina SCDHECSCDHEC•• MinnesotaMinnesota MPCAMPCA•• OhioOhio OEPAOEPAInternationalInternational•• Israel Israel ---- Ministry of the EnvironmentMinistry of the Environment•• Australia Australia –– (Queensland) EPA(Queensland) EPA•• OthersOthers……....

Basic TermsBasic TermsSanitary LandfillSanitary Landfill•• engineered facility for burial of household engineered facility for burial of household

wastewaste•• does not pose a substantial potential does not pose a substantial potential

hazard to human health or environment.hazard to human health or environment.

Solid WasteSolid Waste•• any discarded material, not including any discarded material, not including

domestic sewage, industrial waste domestic sewage, industrial waste discharges, contaminated soil, etc. discharges, contaminated soil, etc.

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““AcceptableAcceptable”” Sanitary WastesSanitary Wastes(Virginia)(Virginia)

Agricultural, ashes (nonAgricultural, ashes (non--hazardous), hazardous), commercial, compost, construction, commercial, compost, construction, debris, demolition, garbage, household, debris, demolition, garbage, household, some industrial, inert, institutional (except some industrial, inert, institutional (except regulated medical), municipal solid waste, regulated medical), municipal solid waste, putrescible, refuse, residential, rubbish, putrescible, refuse, residential, rubbish, scrap metal, sludges (no free liquids and scrap metal, sludges (no free liquids and stabilized), trash, white goods, nonstabilized), trash, white goods, non--regulated hazardous waste, special, waste regulated hazardous waste, special, waste oil, vegetative, yard waste.oil, vegetative, yard waste.

““NonNon--AcceptableAcceptable”” WastesWastes(Virginia)(Virginia)

Free liquids, bulk or nonFree liquids, bulk or non--containerized liquid waste, regulated containerized liquid waste, regulated hazardous waste, solid waste with hazardous waste, solid waste with over 1 ppb of dioxins or 50 ppm of over 1 ppb of dioxins or 50 ppm of PCBs, unstabilized sewer sludge, PCBs, unstabilized sewer sludge, pesticide containers (not triple pesticide containers (not triple rinsed), drums (not empty or rinsed), drums (not empty or cleaned), contaminated soils. cleaned), contaminated soils.

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General Siting RestrictionsGeneral Siting RestrictionsAirportAirport•• distance to airportsdistance to airports•• piston aircraftpiston aircraft--50005000’’; jets; jets--10,00010,000’’

FloodplainFloodplain•• Outside 100 year floodplainOutside 100 year floodplain

Unstable areasUnstable areas•• Geologic features, sinkholes, KarstGeologic features, sinkholes, Karst

WetlandsWetlands•• Max. 2 acres disturbed plus other limitationsMax. 2 acres disturbed plus other limitations•• ““no net lossno net loss”” or significant degradationor significant degradation

Fault areasFault areas•• 200 feet separation200 feet separation

Seismic impact zonesSeismic impact zones

Siting Restrictions (contSiting Restrictions (cont’’d)d)VA Distances from disposal area or leachate VA Distances from disposal area or leachate storagestorage•• 100100’’ water body, riverwater body, river•• 5050’’ facility boundaryfacility boundary•• 500500’’ water source (well)water source (well)•• 10001000’’ interstate highwayinterstate highway•• 500500’’ other roadsother roads•• 200200’’ active filling areas to residence, school, hospital, active filling areas to residence, school, hospital,

nursing home or recreational park area nursing home or recreational park area

Ability to monitor groundwaterAbility to monitor groundwater>1 miles upgradient of public water supply>1 miles upgradient of public water supplySteep sloping areas (>33%)Steep sloping areas (>33%)Exemptions allowed Exemptions allowed

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Permitting & Design ProcessPermitting & Design Process

VirginiaVirginia•• Notice of Intent to VDEQNotice of Intent to VDEQ•• Part A Application (geologic)Part A Application (geologic)•• Part B Application (engineering)Part B Application (engineering)

MarylandMaryland•• Phase IPhase I•• Phase IIPhase II•• Phase IIIPhase III

Geologic/Geologic/HydrogeologicHydrogeologic Application Application

Site location mapsSite location maps•• TopographyTopography•• Wetlands and water bodiesWetlands and water bodies•• Landfill footprint and facility boundaryLandfill footprint and facility boundary

Transportation StudyTransportation Study•• Adequacy of roads, intersections, signage, etc.Adequacy of roads, intersections, signage, etc.

Consistent with SW Management PlansConsistent with SW Management PlansHydrogeologic and GeotechnicalHydrogeologic and Geotechnical•• Borings, wells, sampling, testing, monitoringBorings, wells, sampling, testing, monitoring•• Groundwater conditionsGroundwater conditions

Impacts on recreation areas, habitat, etcImpacts on recreation areas, habitat, etc……..Submitted for reviewSubmitted for review

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Engineering Application ProcessEngineering Application ProcessEngineering Design & Operations PlanEngineering Design & Operations Plan•• Site conditionsSite conditions•• Design Plans and Technical ReportDesign Plans and Technical Report•• Groundwater and surface water monitoringGroundwater and surface water monitoring•• Landfill gas management planLandfill gas management plan•• Closure and Post Closure plansClosure and Post Closure plans•• Leachate managementLeachate management•• Operations & Maintenance PlansOperations & Maintenance Plans

ApprovalApproval ””DraftDraft PermitPermit”” Public HearingPublic HearingDirectorDirector’’s decisions decision

Engineering Design ConsiderationsEngineering Design Considerations

Foundation and slope stabilityFoundation and slope stabilityBottom liner design and Bottom liner design and leachateleachate managementmanagementSettlement of waste and foundationSettlement of waste and foundationAirspace and lifespanAirspace and lifespan•• Height and depthHeight and depth•• Flow ratesFlow rates•• Waste density and compactionWaste density and compaction

Availability of local soilsAvailability of local soilsConstructabilityConstructabilityPhasing of cellsPhasing of cellsClosure scheduleClosure scheduleAnd othersAnd others…………....

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Composite Bottom LinerComposite Bottom Liner(EPA and VDEQ Standard)(EPA and VDEQ Standard)

Composite Liner

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EPA EPA ““Subtitle DSubtitle D”” Single Composite Single Composite Bottom Liner (since 1991)Bottom Liner (since 1991)

Minimum 2 percent slopeMinimum 2 percent slopeTop to Bottom:Top to Bottom:• 18”-24” collection/protective soil

High permeability• Flexible membrane liner (FML)

60 mil HDPE or 30 mil for othersIntimate contact with soil below

• 24” low permeability soilcompacted clayK<1.0 x 10-7 cm/sec

•• Prepared base (native soil or compacted fill)Prepared base (native soil or compacted fill)•• IsraelIsrael’’s equivalence based on infiltrations equivalence based on infiltration

<5 mm per year<5 mm per year

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Low Permeability Soil Liner

Cell 8 Battle Creek Landfill, Page Co, VA

Clay Liner Construction 2005

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Agru Am Micro Spike

Prince William County Landfill

HDPE Liner

Protective aggregate (leachate collection)

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Leachate Storage and Treatment Leachate Storage and Treatment OptionsOptions

Large Tank with Containment

Haul to POTW with Tankers

On-site Treatment

Construction is CriticalConstruction is CriticalEngineered Plans and SpecificationsEngineered Plans and Specifications•• EPA Guidance for QA/QC of soils and EPA Guidance for QA/QC of soils and geosyntheticsgeosynthetics

ASTM StandardsASTM StandardsGeosyntheticsGeosynthetics Research Institute (GRI)Research Institute (GRI)

•• Quality Control (QC) PlanQuality Control (QC) Plan•• Quality Assurance (QA) PlanQuality Assurance (QA) Plan

Field and laboratory testingField and laboratory testing•• Verifies properties and dimensionsVerifies properties and dimensions•• Basis for Basis for ““Certification ReportCertification Report”” by VA Professional by VA Professional

Engineer Engineer

Final walkFinal walk--thru inspectionthru inspection•• Certifying EngineerCertifying Engineer

Permission/Certificate to Operate (CTO)Permission/Certificate to Operate (CTO)

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Soil liner compaction and Moisture Conditioning

Field Density testing for Soil Liner

Undisturbed soil sampling for permeability testing

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60 mil textured HDPE Rolls delivered to site

Mfgr. Roll and batch identification #

60 mil textured HDPE Deployment

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woven

non-woven

Deployed HDPE at Battle Creek Landfill, Page Co, VA

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HDPE Double Track Fusion Welder (“mouse”)

HDPE at Effe (Central) Landfill

Negev Desert, Israel (2004)

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Vacuum Box Weld Testing

Extrusion Weld Repairs

Pressure Testing Results

Liner Panel Numbering

HDPE Deployment over Anchor Trench

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Cell 8 Battle Creek Landfill, Page County, VA

Leachate Flow Direction

Perforated Leachate Collection Pipe

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Operations and MaintenanceOperations and Maintenance

““Operations PlanOperations Plan”” per Permit per Permit •• Equipment and personnelEquipment and personnel•• Maximum average daily flowMaximum average daily flow•• Peak daily flow ratePeak daily flow rate•• Waste lift thickness, compactionWaste lift thickness, compaction•• Load inspectionLoad inspection•• Daily cover, intermediate coverDaily cover, intermediate cover•• SchedulesSchedules

Record Keeping and reportingRecord Keeping and reporting

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WASTE UNLOADING AND SPREADING

WASTE SPREADING & COMPACTION

WASTE COMPACTION AND GRADING

DAILY COVER PLACEMENT

ROCHEDALE GARDNER LANDFILL

BRISBANE, AUSTRALIA

Common Operations ChallengesCommon Operations Challenges

WeatherWeather

LitterLitter

DustDust

OdorsOdors

FiresFires

Pest Pest ManagementManagement

CommunicationsCommunications

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Entrance Road

Signage

Administration Building

Scale Facility

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Facility Ground Improvements

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Modern Scales & ScalehouseModern Scales & Scalehouse

Environmental MonitoringEnvironmental Monitoring

Groundwater wellsGroundwater wellsLandfill gas probesLandfill gas probesSurface water monitoringSurface water monitoringErosion & SedimentationErosion & Sedimentation

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Effective GW ProgramEffective GW Program

Groundwater Monitoring SystemGroundwater Monitoring System

•• Per regulations: 9 VAC 20Per regulations: 9 VAC 20--8080--300300

•• Goal to monitor impact in uppermost Goal to monitor impact in uppermost aquiferaquifer

Upgradient wells (background quality)Upgradient wells (background quality)

Downgradient wells to represent conditions Downgradient wells to represent conditions at WMU boundary at WMU boundary

Number and spacing are site specificNumber and spacing are site specific

Dependent on hydrogeologic settingDependent on hydrogeologic setting

Effective GW ProgramEffective GW ProgramSampling and Data AnalysisSampling and Data Analysis•• Follows EPA SWFollows EPA SW--846 and VDEQ regulations846 and VDEQ regulations

•• Statistical methods analysisStatistical methods analysis

•• ““Detection MonitoringDetection Monitoring””basic parameters & frequencybasic parameters & frequency

•• ““Assessment MonitoringAssessment Monitoring””if impacts detectedif impacts detected

Protection And Maintenance Of Monitoring Protection And Maintenance Of Monitoring WellsWells

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Well LocationWell LocationUpgradient Downgradient

Well ComplianceWell Compliance

GW Flow Direction

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GW Well DesignGW Well Design

Design based on field conditions

Wells cased and grouted to maintain integrity

Wellhead ProtectionWellhead ProtectionBollards

Locks

Concrete apron

Fencing

Signage

Flagging

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Sample Collection and PreservationSample Collection and Preservation

Consistent Consistent frequency and frequency and sampling sampling proceduresproceduresProcedures for:Procedures for:•• Collection, Collection,

preservation and preservation and shipment, analytical shipment, analytical procedures, chain procedures, chain of custody, QA/QCof custody, QA/QC

Indicator Parameters for Indicator Parameters for LandfillsLandfills

Temperature Temperature pHpHCOD COD Chloride/SulfateChloride/SulfateNitrogen CompoundsNitrogen CompoundsConductanceConductanceExtended ParametersExtended Parameters

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Extended Chemical ParametersExtended Chemical Parameters

Total suspended Total suspended solidssolidsVolatile organicsVolatile organics(VOCs)(VOCs)

CadmiumCadmiumCalciumCalciumChromiumChromiumCopperCopperLeadLeadMagnesiumMagnesium

ManganeseManganeseMercuryMercuryPotassiumPotassiumSodiumSodiumArsenicArsenicZincZincOthers as required Others as required by VDEQby VDEQ

Landfill Gas ControlsLandfill Gas ControlsControl decomposition gases Control decomposition gases Gas management planGas management plan•• Active or passive controlsActive or passive controls•• FlareFlare•• LFG UtilizationLFG UtilizationMonitoring for migration at facility Monitoring for migration at facility boundary or inside buildingsboundary or inside buildingsMethane gasMethane gas•• < 25% of lower explosive limit (LEL) in < 25% of lower explosive limit (LEL) in

structures (12,500 structures (12,500 ppmppm))•• <LEL at facility boundary<LEL at facility boundary

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Typical LFG CompositionTypical LFG Composition

MethaneMethane 4545--58%58%Carbon DioxideCarbon Dioxide 3535--45%45%NitrogenNitrogen 11--5%5%OxygenOxygen 11--5%5%MoistureMoisture 11--5%5%Trace gasesTrace gases 11--3%3%Trace Chlorinated Gases (vinyl Trace Chlorinated Gases (vinyl chloride, benzene, etc.)chloride, benzene, etc.)

LFG CharacteristicsLFG Characteristics

Methane (CHMethane (CH44) combustible) combustibleLFG produces 500 BTU/cu. FtLFG produces 500 BTU/cu. Ft•• about about ½½ of natural gasof natural gas•• Suitable for electric generation, medium Suitable for electric generation, medium

BTUBTU•• Vehicle fuelVehicle fuel

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Subtitle D LimitsSubtitle D Limits

Lower Explosive Limit (LEL)=5% CHLower Explosive Limit (LEL)=5% CH44

Methane may not be >5% in Methane may not be >5% in soilsoil at at property boundaryproperty boundary=100% of LEL=100% of LEL

Methane may not be >1.25% in Methane may not be >1.25% in confined spaces confined spaces (inside structures)(inside structures)=25% of LEL=25% of LEL

LFG Migration Control for LandfillsLFG Migration Control for Landfills

Passive SystemsPassive Systems•• Vent wellsVent wells•• Vent trenchesVent trenches

Active SystemsActive Systems•• Vacuum recovery (wells installed into Vacuum recovery (wells installed into

waste at numerous locations connected waste at numerous locations connected blower)blower)

•• May be used for LFG utilizationMay be used for LFG utilization•• FlaringFlaring

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Landfill Gas Extraction Flare and Well Head

HIRIYA LANDFILL, TEL AVIV

ClosureClosure: “….act of securing a solid waste management facility….”Written closure and post-closure plansFinal cover• minimizes infiltration• limit further maintenance

Final slopes to control erosion and stability• Maximum 33% slopes

Closure to begin• After final waste receipt in unit• Complete closure within 6 months

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Typical Final Cover Systemw/Geomembrane*

30 mil or 40 mil Flexible Membrane Liner*

*may substitute clay soil with equivalency demonstration & testing

12” Drainage Layer or Drainage Net

6” Topsoil

12” to 18”Vegetative Supportor Grading Soil

6” to 12” Soil Leveling Layer

Waste

4% minimum slope

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•• Post Closure: Post Closure: “…“…requirements placed requirements placed upon solid waste management facilities upon solid waste management facilities after closureafter closure to ensure environmental to ensure environmental and public health safety for a specified and public health safety for a specified number of years after closure.number of years after closure.””

•• EPA PCC Period:EPA PCC Period:10 yrs. for disposal pre10 yrs. for disposal pre--10/9/9310/9/9330 years for disposal 10/9/93 or after30 years for disposal 10/9/93 or after

*Period may be increased based on contaminants detected in GW and environmental protection; may be decreased if site is “clean”

Post ClosurePost Closure

Maintain Integrity of Final CoverMaintain Integrity of Final CoverSettlement, subsidence, slope instabilitySettlement, subsidence, slope instability

Stormwater runStormwater run--off / runoff / run--on, erosionon, erosion

Operate, Monitor and MaintainOperate, Monitor and Maintain

Leachate collection systemsLeachate collection systems

Landfill gas controls and wells Landfill gas controls and wells

Groundwater wells; stream samplingGroundwater wells; stream sampling

Post-Closure Requirements(continued)

Environmental Consultants and Contractors

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Oaks Landfill (closed) Montgomery Co., MD

Blue Mash Golf Club

FINAL END USE PLANNING?

Final ThoughtsFinal ThoughtsModern sanitary landfills are engineered, Modern sanitary landfills are engineered, built, monitored and operated to be built, monitored and operated to be environmentally safeenvironmentally safeLFs are compatible with recycling goalsLFs are compatible with recycling goals•• benefits for LFG utilizationbenefits for LFG utilization•• endend--usesuses

Monitored for GW, LFG and Erosion from Monitored for GW, LFG and Erosion from beginning to closure and beyond (30 yrs) beginning to closure and beyond (30 yrs) Performance based requirements to allow Performance based requirements to allow for flexibility and local environmentfor flexibility and local environment